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Derron Black holds event to announce run for mayor, but says he's not sure about running

Zach Tecklenburg

12:53 PM, Mar 21, 2013

5:11 PM, Mar 21, 2013

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Derron Black held a news conference on Thursday to announce a bid for mayor. During the news conference, he said he was not sure if he would run for mayor in 2015.

KSHB

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Derron Black for mayor? Maybe not.

Black's campaign manager, Jeff Francis, told 41 Action News Wednesday that the race was on. But when Black spoke publicly Thursday, his message was mixed when asked about the 2015 mayoral election.

Black made a name for himself by interrupting Mayor Sly James during Tuesday's State of the City address at the Gem Theater in Kansas City, Mo. He was tackled by the mayor's security detail and taken to jail where he was released Wednesday afternoon.

Jeff Francis said a mayoral announcement would immediately follow Black's release from jail. But that was delayed until 11 a.m. Thursday.

Thursday morning, the campaign announced it would again push back the announcement and change the location to noon at the Historic Lincoln Building in the 18th and Vine District. The building is less than 100 feet away from where he squabbled violently with police on Tuesday.

However, once Black and his supporters arrived at the Lincoln Building, a lawyer for the building's owner - the Black Economic Union - told Black his event would have to move outside.

Once outside, Black apologized to the officer that was injured in the Tuesday scuffle and Mayor James. When asked about his political aspirations, Black waffled, saying he was unsure whether he would run for mayor.

After the news conference, Black's friend and supporter M.D. Alam said the campaign is still on. He said Black is ready to run for office, but needs more media training before he makes an "official" announcement. Alam said it is unclear when that announcement will take place.

Late Thursday afternoon, Black's camp said he will announce his intention to run at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Kansas City Community Center.

Black was arrested and charged with two misdemeanors after Tuesday's incident, which made national headlines. After the arrest, he made an apology from his holding cell to Kansas City residents for the disrespectful way he challenged the mayor.

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.